DEEP TROUBLE

Stars Sophie Rundle, Matt Stokoe and Nicholas Gleaves talk to LYNN RUSK about the new series of disaster thriller After The Flood

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The Durham-born actor says his character evolves from living a double life in the first series to becoming a more open and courageous father in the second.

“There was a lot of secrecy in series one,” explains Matt. “He was kind of living a double life and prioritising self-preservation. There was a cathartic admission at the end of the first series, where he brought Joanna up to speed and told her everything he knew.

“In series two, he's become a father. He doesn’t have any secrets from Jo, and as a byproduct of that, he’s less selfish and much braver.”

Nicholas, 57, returns as Sergeant Mackie, after the first series ended on a cliffhanger as his corrupt dealings were exposed.

“I think in this series he starts off in a pretty good place,” says the Lancashire-born actor. “At the end of series one, there was a kind of checkmate as far as Pat and Jo were concerned. He'd turned off all the taps that he felt could cause problems.

“So at the beginning of the series he thinks everything is in a good spot and just wants to make sure everyone is still on the same page so they can move on with normal life.

“But then things start to evolve that make him feel a bit worried and suspicious, which tips him into a place he’s never been before, which was something I found really exciting to play.”

Addressing the environmental themes woven into the show, the cast say it is an important issue to explore alongside the mysteries.

“I think it’s an inevitable and important topic of conversation,” says Sophie.